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Definition: Project interfaces generally fall into one of three categories:
• Organizational interfaces—formal and informal reporting relationships among different organizational units. Organizational
interfaces may be highly complex or very simple. For example, developing a complex telecommunications system may require coordinating numerous subcontractors over several years, while fixing a programming error in a system installed at a single site may require little more than notifying the user and the operations staff upon completion
• Technical interfaces—formal and informal reporting relationships among different technical disciplines. Technical interfaces occur both within project phases (e.g., the site design developed by the civil engineers must be compatible with the superstructure developed by the structural engineers) and between project phases (e.g., when an automotive design team passes the results of its work along to the retooling team that must create the manufacturing capability for the vehicle)
• Interpersonal interfaces—formal and informal reporting relationships among different individuals working on the project.
These interfaces often occur simultaneously, as when an architect employed by a design firm explains key design considerations to an unrelated construction contractor's project management team.
Acceptance Level: Generally accepted
Alternative or Related Terms: Organizational interfaces; technical interfaces; interpersonal interfaces
Application Areas/Intended Uses: Project interfaces are an input into organizational planning, and contribute to the development of the staffing management plan.
Chief Advantages: Clear identification of all key reporting relationships on a project is necessary to establish roles,
responsibilities, and accountabilities, and helps prevent potential ambiguity in management of project staff.
Additional Reading:
Projects and People: A Marriage Made in Heaven. Karen Clarke, Dave Winsborough, Iain Fraser and Bev Marshall. PMI 2001 Seminars & Symposium Proceedings, Nashville, Tennessee USA. |
